[Vision2020] Measuring megaloads malice

[Moscow Cares]

Courtesy of today's (April 8, 2014) LewistonTribune.

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Measuring megaloads malice
Feds gather comments in quest to quantify intrinsic value of Wild and Scenic River corridor
The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest has released a draft of its review attempting to identify the intangible and intrinsic values of the U.S. Highway 12 corridor, and how those human-held views could be affected if megaloads are allowed there.
The highway crosses through the forest as it follows the Lochsa and Middle Fork of the Clearwater rivers. Both rivers are part of the nation's Wild and Scenic River system, and last year the route became a flash point of emotional protests over megaloads and whether it is an appropriate place for industrial traffic.
The protests included a lawsuit filed by the Nez Perce Tribe and the environmental group Idaho Rivers United that led to a court-ordered injunction barring megaloads from a 100-mile stretch of the highway.
Last year, the agency began interviewing both tribal and non-tribal people about the corridor, how they use it and their feelings about the megaloads that take up two lanes of traffic and lead to rolling roadblocks.
The study could be used by land managers in the future as they contemplate whether or not to allow massively oversized loads to be moved on the portion of the highway that crosses the forest.
"It's our attempt to look at the social and cultural values associated with that river corridor," said Rick Brazell, supervisor of the forest. "Our goal is to try to come to a better understanding of what the trade-offs would be if megaloads were to utilize that corridor."
He noted the review is still in draft form and the agency is still in the midst of formal consultation with tribe. The court injunction barring megaloads remains in place until completion of both the study and consultation with the tribe.
Brazell said the review was released so people could see it in its draft form.
"There was enough interest we thought it would be fair to share it with everybody," he said.
The 36-page document outlines the feelings of some tribal members who told authors they have a "deep physical and spiritual" attachment to the area and megaloads would harm their treaty rights, resources and culture. One man compared the corridor to the last remaining Bible and said each megaload shipment allowed in the corridor was like ripping a page out and "losing it forever."
Others described concerns over the effects of megaloads on hunting and fishing access, safety and wildlife.
Non-Indian people told authors they, too, have a strong sense of place, found the corridor pristine and beautiful, and cherished it for its access to recreation. Some said they wanted the jobs that might come with the shipments.
The report quotes one man who said megaload shipments were an economic gift that "fell out of the sky." But others, about two-thirds of the people interviewed, doubted the oversized shipment would benefit the economy. Many feared the loads would harm tourism, and others said the shipments are inconsistent with the designation of the rivers as wild and scenic.
The document doesn't come to any conclusions about the future of megaload traffic. It can be viewed at http://1.usa.gov/QZhhJN.

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"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"There's room at the top they are telling you still.
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,
If you want to be like the folks on the hill."

- John Lennon
  
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